Mountain State Spotlight

A decade ago, lawmakers created a Future Fund to save coal and gas wealth. It never saved a penny.

West Virginia legislators created the Future Fund to save severance tax revenues for the future. It never received a deposit.
mountainstatespotlight

Share your experiences with Hopemont, Jackie Withrow, Lakin and John Manchin hospitals

Last year, private company Majestic Care bought four state-owned nursing homes, which for decades had been run by the state. Some families and workers were fearful of cuts while others were hopeful.
mountainstatespotlight

Coalfield residents need hundreds of millions of dollars for clean water. Lawmakers propose a drop in the bucket.

Ashley Bunch and her son Otis traveled to the West Virginia Capitol on Feb. 16, to advocate for clean drinking water. Photo by Henry Culvyhouse / Mountain State Spotlight Jake Frye doesn’t trust the ...
mountainstatespotlight

Author Archives: Henry Culvyhouse

West Virginia legislators created the Future Fund to save severance tax revenues for the future. It never received a deposit.
mountainstatespotlight

‘I’ve never been so low in my life’: As thousands lose food stamps, West Virginia food pantries struggle to keep up

Ryan Elkins is the CEO and founder of Lincoln County Community Outreach, an organization that works to bring meals and groceries to families throughout the county. Courtesy Photo. YAWKEY— For more ...
mountainstatespotlight

In the garbage wars, West Virginia gave counties a say. Data center opponents say they deserve one, too.

Activists in the early 1990s pose with a sign during a landfill referendum. Photo provided by Gary Zuckett. In the late 1980s, the Rev. Jeff Allen was appointed to serve as pastor over a United ...
mountainstatespotlight

How the Legislature did — and didn’t — address West Virginia’s challenges during the 2026 session

Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, presides over the House on the last night of the 2026 regular session. Photo by Perry Bennett / West Virginia Legislature Two months ago, lawmakers gathered ...
mountainstatespotlight

What’s the big deal about data centers? Here’s what West Virginians need to know.

The proposed location of one of the power plants from TransGas Development Systems' is identified in Mingo County on an air permit application to the state Department of Environmental Protection. Data ...
mountainstatespotlight

West Virginia’s economy is changing, but that hasn’t meant more people working or better wages

Dr. Matthew Ellison, Dr. Kevin McKillion, Dr. Hong Wang and CRNA Cole Mortellaro, the WVU Medicine anesthesia team practice COVID-19 intubations using the intubation box created in the Innovation Hub.
mountainstatespotlight

‘If they don’t have child care, they can’t work’: Parents and providers share stories of the struggle for child care

Kanawha Valley YMCA CEO, Sarah Bolyard, chats with Layla Echols at the YMCA's after school child care facility in Charleston. Photo by Tre Spencer / Mountain State Spotlight Across West Virginia, some ...
mountainstatespotlight

Deadly flooding in West Virginia finds prevention plans unaddressed

At least two West Virginians are dead, dozens of homes are damaged and communities across north central West Virginia are left picking up the pieces in the wake of another major flood. Just a decade ...
mountainstatespotlight

‘An ecosystem of dysfunction’: West Virginia still has a child welfare worker shortage, and it’s taking a toll on foster kids and families

As West Virginia’s foster care system struggles to hire and retain workers amid low pay and overwhelming caseloads, it stresses foster families and keeps kids from getting the attention they need.